Chelsea 2-1 AFC Wimbledon: Madueke & Enzo goals ensure comback win

Chelsea were made to work for their spot in the third round of the Carabao Cup as they edged past AFC Wimbledon at Stamford Bridge.

Match Report

Chelsea hit back to beat AFC Wimbledon 2-1 and reach the third round of the Carabao Cup.

There were 63 places between the sides at kick-off, but it was League Two AFC Wimbledon that took the lead at Stamford Bridge via an early penalty from James Tilley.

But Chelsea levelled via their own spot-kick in first-half stoppage-time, won and converted by Noni Madueke, before a second-half winner thanks to substitute Enzo Fernandez.

How Chelsea hit back to down Dons

It was a tale of two penalties in the first half. AFC Wimbledon struck first on 19 minutes, after Robert Sanchez had come to punch clear a free-kick and instead connected with Harry Pell, before Tilley sent the ball past the Chelsea goalkeeper from 12 yards.

Then it was Chelsea's turn in stoppage time. Madueke, undoubtedly their bright spark, raced down the right before being brought down in the box. Stepping up himself to beat Alex Bass in the Dons net.

Mauricio Pochettino eventually called for his reinforcements, with Fernandez and Malo Gusto coming on.

It was Enzo who made the difference, as he capitalised on a mistake at the back from Bass, whose poor attempt at a clearance ricocheted into the Argentine's path, allowing him to bend the ball into an empty net from the edge of the box, taking Chelsea into the third round.

Did Cucurella do enough to impress Poch?

Sky Sports' Simeon Gholam at Stamford Bridge:

An eye-catching name on the team-sheet to say the least. Marc Cucurella was handed a first start of the season by Pochettino, but did not do a huge amount to impress on the left side.

Whether he is still at the club by the end of the week remains to be seen, with Deadline Day looming on Thursday. Ian Maatsen, playing further up the pitch on Tuesday night, looks a capable understudy for Ben Chilwell.

Player of the Match - Noni Madueke

It is a tad unfortunate for Madueke that he occupies the same position as Raheem Sterling, and that the latter has started the season so brilliantly down Chelsea's right flank.

Madueke was electric at times in his first start of the season on Tuesday night, particularly in his burst of pace to win the crucial equalising penalty. He may, however, have to wait a while to get his chance should Sterling's league form continue.

Line-ups

Chelsea XI: Marc Cucurella, Axel Disasi, Robert Sánchez, Conor Gallagher, Noni Madueke, Maatsen, Bashir Humphreys, Levi Colwill, L. Ugochukwu, Mason Burstow, Diego Moreira

Subs: Thiago Silva, Chilwell, Djordje Petrovic, Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo, Lucas Bergström, Malo Gusto, Nicolas Jackson, Ishé Samuels-Smith

AFC Wimbledon XI: Alex Pearce, Harry Pell, Ryan Johnson, Alex Bass, James Ball, Tilley, Josh Neufville, Joe Lewis, Josh Davison, Isaac Ogundere, Morgan Williams

Subs: Lee Brown, Nikola Tzanev, Omar Bugiel, Ali Al-Hamadi, Ethan Sutcliffe, Aron Sasu, P. Lock, Ryan McLean, Kai Jennings